Soggy … But Still Howling

Samantha KuDrenched but undaunted, two young spectators at the Howl! Festival in Tompkins Square Park.

Over the last three days, poetry and spoken word, music and theater, performance art and visual art combined in Tompkins Square Park for the annual Howl! Festival.

Samantha KuModels for the Hemma collection applaud the designers.

Howl! Arts board member Bob Perl estimated that around 20,000 to 30,000 attended the festival this weekend. Saturday drew the most people because of a mix of programming and pleasant weather. But the sun didn’t last. “Whether it’s the weather or inclement rain coming, today so far is quiet,” said Mr. Perl of Sunday’s performances.

The festival started on Friday night with a group of local poets reading Allen Ginsberg’ epic poem “Howl.”

From 1952 until his death in 1997, Beat poet Ginsberg lived and worked in the East Village.

Holding the event in the East Village adds “a sense of roots,” said Anne Waldman, the poet laureate of this year’s festival.

“In the spirit of continuity or a sense of lineage of honoring all the arts that have gone on here, it’s important to remind people of that at this site.”

Were you there?

Please share your stories of the Howl! Festival.

This post has been changed to correct an error.

Samantha KuMaster of ceremonies Bob Holman encourages audience members to join in the howl.

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